Opened pimento cheese lasts 4 weeks in the fridge and no more than 2 hours at room temperature. Unopened, it keeps until its use-by date in the fridge.
Shelf life at a glance
Bars show the longest recommended time for each place. Scale runs from 1 hour to 2 years.
- 1Use within days
- 2Keeps a week or two
- 3Keeps for months
- 4Keeps a long time
Based on the longest fridge or pantry time.
About 14 more days in the fridge.
About 7 more days in the fridge.
Past the recommended fridge time. Even if it looks and smells fine, throw it out.
Past the recommended fridge time. Even if it looks and smells fine, throw it out.
Counted from the day it was cooked, opened or bought. Assumes a fridge at 4 °C (40 °F) or colder.
Pimento cheese storage times by method
| Method | Duration | Temperature | Container | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pantry / counter (opened) | 2 hours | 68–72°F | Airtight | 1 hour if above 90°F |
| Refrigerator (opened) | 4 weeks | ≤ 40°F / 4°C | Airtight | at or below 40°F (4°C) |
| Refrigerator (unopened) | Use-by date | ≤ 40°F / 4°C | Airtight | follow the package date |
Where to store pimento cheese
Keep it on a middle shelf, not the door: the door warms up every time it opens.
Pimento cheese shelf life, answered
How long does pimento cheese last in the fridge?
4 weeks at 4°C (40°F) or colder (opened). Count from the day it was cooked, opened or bought.
How long does pimento cheese last in the freezer?
Not listed. FoodKeeper gives no freezer time for pimento cheese.
How long does pimento cheese last at room temperature?
No more than 2 hours, or 1 hour above 32°C (90°F). Perishable food left out longer should be thrown away.
How long does pimento cheese last after opening?
4 weeks in the fridge once opened. The printed date stops applying the moment you break the seal.
How long does unopened pimento cheese last?
Use-by date in the fridge, if the seal is intact and it is stored as the label says.
How long is pimento cheese good for past the expiration date?
FoodKeeper gives unopened pimento cheese use-by date in the fridge, counted from the day you buy it. "Best-by" and "sell-by" describe quality and stock rotation, not safety; only infant formula carries a federally required use-by date.
How can you tell if pimento cheese is bad?
Ammonia or a sharp sour smell beyond the cheese's usual aroma. Slimy surface, or very dry and cracked all the way through. Darkened or yellowed edges, or new colours that are not part of the cheese.
How long can pimento cheese sit out?
2 hours at room temperature, 1 hour on a hot day above 32°C (90°F). Overnight is always too long.
Signs pimento cheese has gone bad
Smell
Ammonia or a sharp sour smell beyond the cheese's usual aroma.
Texture
Slimy surface, or very dry and cracked all the way through.
Colour
Darkened or yellowed edges, or new colours that are not part of the cheese.
Mould
On hard cheese, cut 1 inch around the spot. On soft or shredded cheese, discard.
Can you freeze pimento cheese?
- 1Step 1
Cut or portion into blocks of ½ lb or less, or freeze shredded cheese in its bag.
- 2Step 2
Wrap in plastic, then a freezer bag, pressing out air.
- 3Step 3
Thaw in the fridge; it will be crumblier, so use it melted or cooked.
Pimento cheese left out overnight
Pimento cheese left at room temperature for more than 2 hours (1 hour above 90°F / 32°C) should be thrown away. Bacteria multiply fastest between 40°F and 140°F, and reheating does not remove every toxin they make.
Bacteria multiply fastest between 4 °C and 60 °C (40–140 °F).
Best-by and use-by dates on pimento cheese
Unopened
FoodKeeper gives unopened pimento cheese use-by date in the fridge, counted from the day you buy it. "Best-by" and "sell-by" describe quality and stock rotation, not safety; only infant formula carries a federally required use-by date.
Opened
Once opened, the printed date no longer applies. Count 4 weeks in the fridge from the day you open it.
How to store pimento cheese
- Wrap in wax or parchment paper, then loosely in plastic, so it can breathe.
- Store in the cheese drawer or a lower shelf at 40°F (4°C) or below.
- Use a clean knife each time to avoid introducing mould.
Pimento cheese vs similar foods
- Shredded cheese 1 month
- Pimento cheese 4 weeks
- Hard cheese 3–4 weeks
- Cheddar cheese 3–4 weeks
- Cream cheese 2 weeks
- Brie 1–2 weeks
- Cottage cheese 1 week
Same scale as the timeline above: 1 hour to 2 years.
Check any food in seconds: when your leftovers expire, and whether something left out is still safe.
Similar foods
All cheese → Does it go bad? hub → Leftover calculator →Freezer time calculator →Left-out checker →